CarL1 Potomac Nationals

Errors Plague P-Nats as Pelicans Prevail

Published on May 16, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC- Facing a struggling opponent in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the P-Nats came into game two of their three game set by the beach looking to emerge victorious and lay claim to another series win to begin their seven game road swing. Unfortunately for Potomac, Myrtle Beach, backed by a raucous crowd at BB&T Coastal Field, knocked two home runs en route to a 6-2 victory over the Nationals in a sloppy game for the visiting ballclub.

The game started out swimmingly for the P-Nats as Francisco Plasencia fisted a double down the left-field line and Chris Marrero mimicked his teammate by roping a double in the same spot to plate Plasencia to give the Nats an early 1-0 lead

But it was short lived, however as the home team scratched out two runs in the first thanks to a walk, two hits, an error, and a rare 8-6 forceout on centerfielder Jason Heyward.

The Nats would respond in the fourth as Plasencia lined his second hit of the day to left and scored on a Jesus Valdez two-out single to make it a 3-2 game. Potomac would load the bases in the fifth inning with a chance to take the lead and put the Pelicans away, but Marrero grounded out to end the threat and the Pelicans would never look back from there.

Light-hitting shortstop Robert Marcial knocked only his fourth professional home run off P-Nats starter Colton Willems (1-2) leading off the fifth and pushed an RBI single through the hole on the right side in the seventh. A Francisco Plasencia error allowed a single by Heyward to travel all the way to the wall, scoring Marcial with the team's sixth run, but Heyward was thrown out trying to score on the play as Rooney corralled the relay throw from Danny Espinosa and withstood the collision with the 6'4", 220 lb outfielder. Heyward also hit his seventh home run of the season leading off the third.

A trio of Pelican relievers held the Nationals scoreless for the final 4 2/3 innings as Eric Barrett (1-1) walked away with his first win of the season.

The Nationals committed three errors in the ballgame and Myrtle Beach played a fairly flawless game to come away with the victory, only the team's fourth in the month of May.

These two teams will meet tomorrow in the rubber game of the series with first pitch set for 6:05 ET. Lefty Will Atwood will take the hill against a fellow southpaw Edgar Osuna. You can catch all the action live on www.potomacnationals.com with Dan McGinn and Anthony Masterson starting with the pregame show at 5:45 ET.

For more information on tickets, daily promotions, and all things P-Nats, call (703) 590-2311 or log onto www.potomacnationals.com to join the party!

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Carolina League Stories from May 16, 2009


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